Frank J Mucilli

Frank J. Mucilli, 87, of Henrietta Boulevard, Amsterdam, NY, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam.

Born in Amsterdam on May 31, 1932, he was the son of the late Michalangelo and Josephine Chini Mucilli. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1950. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and April 7, 1951 left for basic training at newly opened Sampson Air Base at Geneva, New York.

He served 3-1/2 years of his 4-year enlistment overseas. After basic training he was sent to Tech School at the University of Connecticut and was then shipped overseas to England for 2-1/2 years and on to Naples, Italy with NATO for 1 year. He was the recipient of the National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and holder of the Marksman Badge. While with NATO he was in the Logistics Department, Special Projects Section. He was a Korean War veteran and received his Honorable Discharge on March 27, 1955, with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Upon returning home he participated in the Printer’s Apprentice Course at the Amsterdam Recorder and 3 years later received his Journeyman’s card and he remained for 38 years in the Composing Room as a linotype operator and later as an electronic typesetter setting type for advertising mostly. He was a member of the ITU 274 serving as its president for many years.

Presently he was a communicant of St Mary's Church. He previously attended St Michaels, where he was an usher and a member of Catholic War Veterans of the church and a member of James T. Bergen Post 39, serving as its president and adjutant for many years.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years Rita Robusto Mucilli and five children: JoMarie DiTata ; Michael D. (Lori); Frank A.; Richard P. (Joanne); Suzanne Syzdek (Steve) and8 Grandchildren: Anthony, Julie Mucilli; Joel DiTata; Jacquelyn, Casandra, and Daniel Mucilli, and Andrew and Matthew Syzdek. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Nolan and Jack.

Very interested in sports Frank played softball and basketball with many teams in the Recreation League and was a Coach for Little League baseball (majors and minors), for 13 years with the Elks Club and also a basketball coach in the Bantam and Recreation League. He was also Cub master for St. Joseph’s and Bacon School Cub Scouts for many years. His greatest passion was going to watch his children and grandchildren play sports, their participation in school musical programs, and school functions.
During retirement he also took an interest in the weather and its working and set up his own weather station at home, and was a daily contributor to WRGB Weather for 20 years, had an early morning weather program on WVTL (5 days a week) at 6 a.m. with the Bob Cudmore Show, and was later the official weather man daily on Do-Wop Music program with Tony LaBate, daily on WCSS Monday thru Friday, and on the Swap Shop program on WCSS on Saturdays.

Also was an avid NASCAR fan and attended many races throughout the US from East Coast to as far as Las Vegas. He also attended Andretti/Gordon Driving School in Charlotte. He was in Daytona the year that his favorite “No. 3” won his only Daytona 500 race. He also loved to watch Mets baseball and Syracuse basketball.

As an avid Washington Redskins fan he would take his daughter and grandson on their yearly pilgrimage to Fed Ex Field to see the “Skins” play many times and even went to see the Skins practice at Carlisle, Pa. for a week.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:15 at St. Mary’s Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010 with Rev. Jeffrey L’Arche officiating.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.

Calling hours are Friday, February 14, 2020 from 4 to 7 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc. 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Frank’s name may be made to Montgomery County SPCA, SPCA Road, P.O. Box 484, Amsterdam, NY 12010 of Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

To send online condolences to the family, visit www.rileymortuaryinc.com